Breaking: Oilers cut ties with one valuable center.

He leaves the Oilers having accomplished his mission

On Thursday, veteran center Matt Hendricks announced from his Minnesota house that he will not return with the Edmonton Oilers for the 2017–2018 season.

“I would say it’s 99 per cent sure I won’t be back,” Hendricks said to Sportsnet’s Mark Spector.

“Kind of the same type of thing as Chris,” he said. “With the young guys and the experience (the Oilers) have to gain, it’ll be hard for me to get into the lineup. It’s hard to have a fourth-line guy who is good in the room and stuff if I’m going to be sat out every night. I totally understand it, but it’s not going to work for either side.”

“If this team going to be good they need to get their young guys experience. I get it.”

He said he leaves the Oilers having accomplished his mission as he had the task of helping to turn a dysfunctional dressing room and team culture around.